Types of Roll Fed Labels

ROLL-FED LABELS EXPLAINED

Roll-fed labels are supplied in roll form, hence their name. But, unlike pressure sensitive labels, they are printed on unsupported film or paper without pre-applied adhesive. Hot melt adhesive is used to secure the label to the product during label application. Once applied, the labels fully wraparound the product, providing 360 degree billboard space for branding and product information.

Standard Wraparound

The standard, and most common, roll-fed labels wraparound the container, but do not shrink. There are several non-shrink materials available for these including: monolayer oriented polypropylene (OPP) films, laminated OPP and/or PET films in clear, white or metallized as well as paper substrates. The laminated versions offer higher levels of scuff resistance, gloss and stiffness properties as well as recycling advantages (the label composition traps the inks between the material layers).

Standard wraparound roll-fed labels are best suited for straight wall cylindrical or square containers, making them ideal for beverage, food and household products.

Roll-Fed Shrink

Roll-fed labels can also refer to wraparound shrink or ROSO (roll on shrink on). The shrink material available for these include: PVC, PETG and polyolefin films with shrink percentages typically ranging from 3 – 20%. These materials use the same application equipment and process as standard roll-fed, with the added step of running through a heat tunnel to shrink the label and conform to the container, making them ideal for shaped and tapered plastic containers and aerosol cans.

Newer developments in roll-fed shrink films and application equipment offer shrinkage percentages up to 50%, which approach the shrink percentages used for full body shrink sleeve labels.

Insulating Foam

Insulating foam roll-fed labels are oriented polystyrene foam shrinkable labels that also conform to the container shape. The foam material keeps the product contents hot or cold as well as protect the consumers hand, making them ideal for food & beverage applications. They are also suitable for various container types (plastic, glass, aluminum) with the most common use being microwaveable cups.